The respondent mother experienced a mental health crisis and was hospitalized, during which time the child stayed with the applicant father.
After the mother stabilized and was discharged, the father refused to return the child, engaging in self-help to establish a new status quo.
Both parties brought motions seeking urgent relief regarding parenting time and decision-making.
The court dismissed the requests for urgency, finding that the mother's mental health condition was stable, she was following her treatment plan, and a safety plan was in place.
The court emphasized that a parent's mental illness does not automatically justify limiting parenting time and cautioned against relying on stigma and stereotypes in family law proceedings.
